Around 100 senior high school teachers kicked off the program in Makati as Copilot access expands to a million public school educators
MAKATI CITY (November 6, 2026) – The Department of Education is pairing with Microsoft to train and credential 2,000 public school teachers in artificial intelligence literacy, rolling out classroom tools meant to keep students safe while they learn to use the technology.
The launch of Microsoft Elevate for Educators, the AI Classroom Toolkit and “Behind the Chat: A Human Guide to Safe AI Conversations” brought about 100 senior high school teachers to Microsoft’s Philippine office in Makati on Wednesday for a full day of hands-on training. The Department of Information and Communications Technology and ChildFund Philippines joined the morning program.
“Through our work with the Department of Education, we are seeing how AI is changing what is possible in education — from how teachers design learning experiences to how students explore ideas and prepare for future opportunities,” Microsoft Philippines managing director Caroline Foo said. “By investing in educators today, we can help ensure technology expands opportunity while giving young people the judgment, awareness and guidance to navigate it safely and responsibly.”
Building on Copilot access
The push builds on a partnership announced in August 2026 under which Microsoft will give one million Filipino public school teachers access to Microsoft Copilot. Elevate for Educators and Behind the Chat are meant to give teachers the judgment to use those tools well — and to guide students on privacy, overreliance and emotional boundaries.
In the Philippines, the program is delivered with training partner Audentes Technologies. Community activities will run through April 2027, with a Recognition Day for participating educators planned for May 2027. After the Makati launch, two virtual sessions follow in November 2026, then eight live learning sessions from January to May 2027.
NEAP: future-ready schools
National Educators Academy of the Philippines Director III Ana Kristelle Garcia-Ortiz said DepEd is preparing learners for both the opportunities and the responsibilities of the AI era. “At NEAP, that means supporting teachers with the knowledge and practical resources to guide students, strengthen critical thinking and promote responsible behavior across digital environments,” she said.
Behind the Chat uses scenario-based stories co-designed with teens, so students can talk about oversharing, AI-guided decisions and emotional attachment without having to bare their own private lives. Teachers at the launch also tried the AI Classroom Toolkit’s lessons on verification and media literacy — skills DepEd says every classroom will need as AI becomes part of daily schoolwork.